Gay men can train as priests but must be celibate, say Italian bishops
GuardianDEC 26 2024
Vatican Allows Gay Priests, Maintains Celibacy Rule
Above: Members and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community take part in a parade in Manila on Dec. 13, 2014. Image copyright: Jay Directo/Stringer/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
The Vatican has approved new guidelines for introduction across the Catholic Church that allow gay men to enter seminaries provided they remain celibate, marking a significant shift in policy.
The 68-page document — effective for a three-year trial period — states that sexual orientation should be considered only one aspect of a candidate's overall personality assessment.
The guidelines, which came from the Italian Bishops Conference, maintain that while the Church respects LGBTQ+ individuals, it will continue not to admit those who actively practice homosexuality or support gay culture.
The Spin
Narrative A
These new guidelines represent a progressive step toward equality in the Catholic Church, giving gay candidates the same opportunities as heterosexual ones while maintaining the Church's traditional values of celibacy and chastity.
Narrative B
This policy risks compromising traditional Catholic teaching on sexuality and could lead to challenges in maintaining celibacy requirements, potentially creating confusion about the Church's stance on homosexuality.
